Explore Scandinavia! (continued)

Neighbouring Sweden – which shares a 2,542 km land border with Norway - is also a year-round destination. The two countries naturally have some common traits, being so closely linked, but while Norway is famed for its fjords, Sweden is better known for the thousands of islands scattered off its southern coast, a legacy of the glaciers that covered Scandinavia millions of years ago.

In winter, the focus is on Swedish Lapland; the culture of the Sami people who live there, dog sledding events, the famous Kiruna Snow Festival with its amazing snow and ice carvings trips to look for the Northern Lights (winter is the best time to see the phenomenon); and further south, skiing in Sweden’s many world-class resorts.

Stockholm makes a wonderful summer weekend break. One of the most exciting of which is the Vasa Museum, housing an amazingly restored 17th century wooden warship, the Vasa, which sank on its maiden voyage in 1628. City Hall, where the Nobel prizes are awarded every December, is stunning, and worth a visit at any time of year. Gamla Stan, the old town, is great for strolling, with its cobbled streets and crooked houses. The Royal Palace is beautiful and includes an antiques museum, former State apartments and the Livrustkamarren, Sweden’s oldest museum, containing vintage weapons, uniforms and the crown jewels. On a sunny day, take a short cruise through the archipelago and eat lunch at one of the small island restaurants; or if you’re as lucky as to be staying at our new member hotel, the Hotel Clarion - ask the chef to pack a picnic for you.

The 502-room Hotel Clarion Stockholm, another new member of Special Hotels of the World, is everything you would expect from a Swedish hotel; stylish, minimalist, hip, yet welcoming at the same time, with a fusion of Swedish and international cuisine in Greta’s Kitchen, live music in the lobby and ever-changing exhibitions of contemporary art.